Hong Kong passes national security law aimed at quashing dissent with severe penalties

Members of Hong Kong's legislative council vote on Tuesday to pass the national security law. Photograph: Peter Parks/AFP via Getty ImagesHong Kong’s legislature has passed unanimously a new national security law that includes penalties up to life imprisonment for a number of offences. The new law, which supplements sweeping national security legislation imposed by Beijing in 2020, was fast-tracked through the legislative council and will come into force on Saturday.

“We need to have such tools which are effective in guarding against black violence and colour revolution,” he told reporters after the vote, referring to the pro-democracy protests.Japan’s ruling party rocked by photos of crusty old politicians and lingerie-clad dancers Members of Hong Kong’s legislature, all of whom are “Chinese patriots” loyal to Beijing, took turns to praise the legislation on Tuesday following more than a week of marathon sittings to move it through all its stages. Regina Ip, who was security secretary during the 2003 attempt to introduce a national security law, said that Tuesday’s vote demonstrated the “one country, two systems” principle.

State secrets are defined as including “a secret concerning the economic and social development” and “the technological development or scientific technology” of China and Hong Kong. Acquiring such information will be an offence carrying up to five years in prison if there are reasonable grounds to believe it to be a state secret.

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